How To Encourage Employees To Wear Safety Glasses

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like safety glasses for eye protection is essential to the health and safety of workers. Unfortunately, even with corporate PPE policies in place, many employees may not wear safety glasses for several reasons:

  • They cannot see clearly in them.
  • The glasses fog up in certain conditions.
  • They are uncomfortable, especially if worn for long periods of time.
  • They do not fit properly.

These problems are especially prevalent if the glasses are of an inferior make or don’t take the wearer’s eyesight into consideration, especially if they need a prescription, which leads to eye fatigue and discomfort. Here’s how you can encourage your employees to wear safety glasses at work:

Consistently Enforce Policies

PPE policies are designed to minimize hazards in the workplace. If these policies are not consistently enforced, it may cause confusion and the mindset of “Not everyone does it,” leading to employees not taking this essential safety precaution. Make sure your PPE policies are enforced in a way that is consistent and clear by:

  • Publishing them in the employee handbook.
  • Holding educational PPE policy and safety classes.
  • Training supervisors on how to consistently and fairly enforce PPE policies.

These will help employees both old and new understand your company’s PPE policies, why they are in place, and how they are enforced.

Educate Employees

Educate employees as to why your PPE policies are in place and how they benefit them. For example, protective eyewear that protects the wearer from UV rays helps reduce the chance of developing cataracts. When employees know why a certain policy is in place, they are more likely to follow protocol. Simply handing them glasses and telling them to put them on without explaining why is not a good strategy in getting employees to consistently wear safety glasses. Tell them why in an educational and respectful manner.

Lead By Example

If your department head is not wearing safety glasses, then why should the other employees? Have those in charge lead by example to show employees that everyone needs to wear safety glasses, no matter if they are the head of a department, a janitor, or a visitor. In leading by example, employees are much more likely to wear their safety glasses.

Fit Employees For Safety Glasses & Give Them Options

Safety glasses are not a one-size-fits-all product. What works for one employee may not work for another. If an employee complains about their eyewear, it is essential that you listen and try to address the problem. Ignoring their complaints or thinking that they will “get over it” is detrimental to their safety and eye health.

Another reason employees may not wear safety glasses is that they think they cannot afford quality eyewear that will meet their needs. Inferior products can cause eye strain and other discomforts that will discourage employees from wearing them.

Thankfully, there are many corporate programs available that make it easy and affordable to get employees the safety glasses they need. With so many frame selections available, employees will appreciate the wide frame options available that will fit their needs and personal style.